The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-03-16
A HELPMEET INDEED.

49,
A HELPMEET INDEED.
Just on the confines OF one OF our large
manufacturing towns, there stands an
imposing residence OF brown stone
elevated by terraces above the road
surrounded by stately trees. and with an
extent OF garden stretching on all sides.
had bcett employed In panel. painting
one of the large bedrooms for some weeks.
and my curiosity and intereat had been
excited by the fact that the master OF
the house, Mr.. Joseph Randall. was a .
tall, handsome man OF less than nifty
years, while his wife was certainly
twenty years older. Q feeble old WOMAN.
Yet never we're any young couple more
seemingly devoted than this oddly-con-
trasted pair; and /. living IN the house.
with constant occupation there, certainly
had good opportunity for Witnessing
any matrimonial differences, had any
existed
When my work was done, l returned
to my own homc. and several months
later, by quite an accident, not iaeces-
sary to record here. learned the story
OF Mr.. Randalfs marriage.
From early boyhood he was "ne'er-
do-weii" Money ran through his fingers
like sand, and after HE father. his gran :
father. and his uncle had each started
him in business. only to end In failure.
the family decided that he would never
be good for anything.
He was a very handsome man, With
college education, the instincts and
manners Of gentleman, and kindly In
full, and too easily Influenced by whoever
took the trouble to dictate to him.
Atthirty he found himself bankrupt,
Ous OF :hasiness. and wlthpn hssg 1fa..
finite prospects, and while he was seri-
ousiy considering suicide as q way out
Of his difficulties, he received an
invitation to visit an old friend In
Grantley, pretty village near the sea
He found Grantisy az the height of
Its summer season, and his own attrac-
tons very readily acknowledged by the
ladies. who danced with him; fiffted With
him, stroled on the beach by moonlight
with him, and accepted his graceful at
tentions with smiling pleasure
It was here that he was introduced to
Miss Susan Harte and her niece and sut,-
posed heiress. Miss Maiide MAXWELL.
They were ladies Of position. refined
and graceful; the younger one lovely in
the freshness of her youth, n pretty
blonde face, and slender figure; the
older one stately and dignified. showing
In every word O cultivated intellect and
strong commpn-sense.
Bob White. Mr.. Randall's friend, after
the introduction, spoke his mind with
frank II vulgar freedom:
$50 In for the heiress. Joe. They
say the old lady Is worth . quarter OF
million, and Mise Maude ls her only rAlas
tive. Anyone can see that they are de-
vatad IN aaftks of1,er y r.
And anyone could also see every EVIL
dence OF wealth In their surroundings.
Their own carriage, with two magni-
ficent horses, was with them for their
daily use, their costumes were Of tie
most costly materials, their jeweiiy
was superb. A lady's maid attended
them, and they occupied an entire suite
Of rooms at the only hotel.
Friendship led to intimacy. and Mr.
Randall did try to fascinate the heiress,
whose simpering prettiness covered d
cold heart and q commonplace mind
TO dress we'll, to be centre OF atirac-
tion for bowling beaux, were the objects
Of her ambition, and her conversation
never rose above the level Of the smallest
OF small-talk.
Though ne had always seemed to lack
business ability, Mr.. Randall was no
fool, and lac found himself evening after
| evening turning from Miss MaxweIfz
yapid talk 10 the fresh strong mind that
shone through her aunt's conversation.
Miss Harte was an accomplished
musician. with 3 rtca contralto voice aad
| love Of miisie had always amounted to 4
strong bond of symp9thy there. ~
The summer wore away pleasantly.
and II was only when closed cottages
and deserted beach told OF departing
| guests that Joseph Randall asked hins-'
self seriously how his summer Irritation
| WAS To end.
He was not . conceited man, set
| Maude Maxwell had let hin see very
| plainly that she had q preference Tor
his society and attentions, Yet he
shrank from the prospect OF wife with
| no islea above dress and gayety. how
ever richly she might be lowered.
| Loving neither. In the true sense OF
! the word. lie certainly found more pleas
| ure In the society OF the older lady and
| then a little demon Of policy whispered
! to him that, after all. the money was
| Miss Harte'a, and with her social posi-
| ton and real attractions, she might
Marcy, and SO deprive Maude Of her
supposed Inheritance.
Ii was true that she was old enough to
| be his mother; but handsome woman.
1 and one so thoroughly TASTEFUL IN dress.
could always appear younger than actual
! years warranted, Rnd---he liked her !;
yes, he certainly respected and liked
| her. = stfs ts9ass
FOR two or three days he hesitstsd.
| shrinking yet from plfeiA8 hifnself Ia
! the position Of = fortune-hunter, and
then he wrote . manly tender letter
TO Miss H6rte. asking her to be his
-
Il lie e had sufioIent tact to syoid iisttery
and not tosmake sick entng protests Ions,
4 and the letter bore the stamp OF sin
! cerIty on every line. An hour later hin
mess enger brought an answer. and Miss
/ 1arta was his hff1aneGd xiso es
Escorting the ladies 70 their home. 3
magnificent country eeat. MI. Randall
wouid1aot hnxe bpdu human had he not
congratulated hfmself upon the future
! ownership OF the wealth 70 jayishly ~
| presented all afoinds him.
He had eaid nothing shout the future
position 81 Miss Maxwell. good-natnred4s
" willing that she should find stiii q
home with her hxsnt; but he sometimes
thought IL would glye her hint
about assnnfne % much ties Of mis-
tress Of the house.
The wedding was magnificent, the